016.20.11 Ark. Code R. 005

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024

Rule 016.20.11-005 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Increase in Resource Limit

MANUAL TRANSMITTAL

Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of County Operations

Policy________________________Issuance Number: SNAP 11-20

SNAP Certification ManualIssuance Date: 10-01-2011

From: Joni Jones, DirectorExpiration Date: Until Superseded

Subj: Increase in Resource Limit for Aged Households and/or Households Containing Individuals with Disabilities

Pages to be Deleted:	Date:	Pages to be Added:	Date:
SNAP 1621.7.4-1621.7.4	04/01/03	SNAP 1621.7.4-1621.7.4	10/01/11
SNAP 1623.2-1623.2	11/01/02	SNAP 1623.2-1623.2	10/01/11
SNAP 4300-4300	01/01/03	SNAP 4300-4300	10/01/11
SNAP 7430-7430	11/01/02	SNAP 7430-7430	10/01/11
SNAP 7431-7431	10/01/03	SNAP 7431-7431	10/01/11
SNAP 9445-9445	10/01/97	SNAP 9445-9445	10/01/11
SNAP 12232-12233	10/01/03	SNAP 12232-12233	10/01/11
Appendix B-Glossary	11/01/02	Appendix B-Glossary	10/01/11
Aged/Disabled Household	Aged/Disabled Household

Summary of Changes:

The resource limit for households containing aged persons (age 60+) and/or individuals with disabilities has increased from $3000, to $3,250, effective October 1, 2011. The sections listed above have been changed to reflect the increase.

Inquiries to:

Yolanda Geary, SNAP Section, (501) 682-8284. Yolanda.Gearv@arkansas.RovCarol Tabron, SNAP Section, 501-682-8284, Carol.Tabron@arkansas.gov

SNAP Certification Manual - Section 1000

1600Process 4- Determining Household Composition

1621Process 4- Determining Household Composition

household's need for SNAP benefits and that the alien does not live with the batterer. After 12 months, the sponsor's income and resources will not be deemed to the battered alien if:

* The battery is recognized by a court or the INS;

* The battery has a substantial connection to the need for benefits; and

* The alien does not live with the batterer.

1621.7.4Deeming the Sponsor's Income

SNAP Manual 10/01/11

Deeming procedures are used to determine the amount of the sponsor's resources and income to be used in the SNAP budget of the sponsored alien's household. Deemed income and resources will continue to be used in the household's budget for the entire deeming period. The deeming period is three years from the alien's date of entry into the United States.

Deemed resources will be determined through the following actions:

1. Determine the sponsor's total countable resources using SNAP 7400 as a guideline. Include the resources of the sponsor's spouse if the sponsor and his or her spouse are living together.

2. Reduce the sponsor's total countable resources by $1,500.

Example: A sponsor reports the following resources-$500 checking account and $2000 savings account.Total resources are $2,500 - $1,500 = $1,000.

3. Add the sponsor's deemed resources to any resources declared by the alien's household.

4. Compare the total resources (the deemed portion of the sponsor's resources and the resources declared by the alien's household) to the maximum resource limits, which are $2,000 for households without a member age 60 or older and $3,250 for all households with at least one member age 60 or older.

5. Deny the application if the household's total resources exceed the appropriate maximum resource limit.

Note: For individuals who sponsor more than one alien, the deemed resources will be prorated among the aliens who have applied to participate or who are actually participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

4. Base the income limits upon the number of eligible members. Allow uncapped shelter costs as per SNAP 6600 only if one of the eligible household members is aged or disabled. Base the allowable earned income deduction, medical, dependent care, child support and excess shelter deduction on all household members including the disqualified member. Apply the $3,250 resource limit only if one of the eligible members is aged or disabled as defined in the Glossary, definition of Aged/Disabled. Close the case if there are no eligible household members. Notify the household of the closure via Notice of Action (DCO-1). State on the DCO-1 when the household may reapply.

1624Determining if a Household Member is a Boarder

SNAP Manual 10/01/97

Boarders may not participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

A boarder is defined as an individual or a group of individuals to whom a household furnishes lodging and meals for a reasonable monthly payment.

Note: A roomer is an individual to whom a household furnishes lodging only. Roomers may participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if otherwise eligible. Roomer payments will be counted as unearned income in the SNAP budget. Any identifiable expense related to furnishing the room will be excluded from the roomer payment before the payment is included in the SNAP budget.

The following individuals may not be designated by a household as a boarder:

1.A spouse of a household member. See the Glossary for an explanation of a spouse.

2.Children age 21 and younger who are under the parental control of a household member. See the Glossary for an explanation of parental control.

Boarders must make a reasonable monthly payment. (See SNAP 1624.1 for determination of a reasonable monthly payment.) If a boarder does not make a reasonable monthly payment, he or she will be included as a household member and all of his or her income and resources will be counted in the SNAP budget. When the boarder is considered a household member, the actual boarder payment will not be shown as income. If the individual does make a reasonable monthly payment, the payment will be considered self-employment income. See SNAP 5621 for procedures on handling income from boarders.

4300Resource Eligibility Standards

SNAP Manual 10/01/11

A household's eligibility will be denied or terminated when the value of the household's countable resources (both liquid and non-liquid assets) exceed the following:

* $3,250 for all households with an aged or a disabled (see Glossary definition of Aged/Disabled Household) member regardless of household size;

OR

* $2,000 for all other households.

A household where at least one member receives a TEA benefit as specified in SNAP 1920 is categorically eligible and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's resource limits will not apply to that household.

If no household member receives TEA benefits, the household is classified as categorically eligible only if all household members receive SSI benefits. If not all household members receive SSI benefits, the entire household is not categorically eligible. However, the individual household members who receive SSI benefits are categorically eligible. This means that any resources solely owned by an SSI recipient are not to be counted when the household's total resources are determined, but all resources owned by the other household members are to be counted, if the resources owned by household members who do not receive SSI exceed the resource limit, the entire household (including the SSI recipient) is ineligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Co-owned resources will not automatically be excluded under this policy. Instead, the resource will be handled in the same manner as any other jointly owned resource. See SNAP 4910 and SNAP 4601 for instructions.

4310Uniform Resource Standards

SNAP Manual 08/01/98

Resource standards are uniformly applied to all households except those in which all members are recipients of TEA and/or SSI. Except for categorically eligible households, all resources currently held by the household and all resources anticipated to be received during the certification period must be reported at the time of the interview.

Name of Resource	How Handled	Policy Reference
Secu rity Deposits	Exclude as a resource.	SNAP 4550.
Stocks	Count current per stock value times the number of stock held by the household.	SNAP 4670
Trust Funds ;V.	Exclude aVa resource only if inaccessible asdefined in ."-' SNAP 45id.'If accessible, count full value of fund.	SNAP 4510
Vacation Homes {Includes time-share condominiums, R.V. parks, etc.)	Count equity value unless the property annually produces income consistent with its fair market value.	SNAP 4700
Vehicles	See SNAP 4800-4870.	SNAP 4800-4870

7420 Determining Total Resources

SNAP Manual 7/01/98

To determine the household's total resources, the worker must add together: a) countable liquid resources, b) the excess value of all countable vehicles, and c) the equity value of all countable non-liquid resources. The resulting figure will be compared to the applicable resource limit.

7430Limits for Total Allowable Resources

SNAP Manual 10/01/11

No Limit

Categorically eligible households have no resource limit in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. See SNAP 1920.

Resource Limit - $3,250

This limit applies to households not classified as categorically eligible when there is a member aged 60 or older or an individual with disabilities member as defined in the Glossary definition of Aged/Individual with Disabilities Household. (This includes one-person households.)

Resource Limit - $2,000

This limit applies to households not classified as categorically eligible when all household members are age 59 or younger.

Unless a household is categorically eligible, the household's total resources must be equal to or below the applicable limit, if not, the household's application will be denied.

Example: Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, ages 59 and 65, apply for SNAP benefits. On their application they declare the following resources:

1. A certificate of deposit valued at $1,000;

2. Two acres of land (other than their home) currently valued at $5,000 with $4,000 remaining to be paid on the Monroe's loan to purchase the land;

3. One vehicle

4. A checking account with a balance of $900 including the Monroe's Social Security checks for this month. (They receive $600 per month Social Security.)

The Monroe's total resources are:

$1,000	Certificate of deposit
+1,000	Equity value of land ($5,000 less $4,000)
+ 0	Vehicle
+ 300	Resource in checking ($900 less $600)
$2,300	Total

The Monroes are resource eligible since there is a member over age 60.

7431 Denying Applications When Resources Exceed Limits

SNAP Manual 10/01/11

Applications may be denied immediately when the worker determines that the household's resources exceed the limit tf the household is not categorically eligible. See SNAP 12230 when resources exceed the limit at reported change or submission of semi-annual report.

Example: Mr. and Mrs. Polk apply for SNAP benefits. They are age 61 and 62. At the interview they declare that they have $3,000 in a certificate of deposit, $1,000 in their checking account (including their monthly income of $600), and a 1999 Lincoln Town Car.

$3,000.00	Value of CD
$400.00	Checking ($1,000 total less $600 monthlv income)
$3,400.00	Total

Since $3,250 is the resource limit, the household is ineligible based upon declared resources. Therefore, the application may be denied at the time of the interview.

SNAP Certification Manual - Section 9000

9400Processing Standards

operational, he or she will not be referred to the E & T Program. However, he or she will be referred at the next certification if verification of disability is not provided.

For households with a member who must meet the requirement to work (RTW), the imposing of a RTW penalty or the granting of a personal exemption will not be delayed. However, the process of verifying RTW compliance may be delayed. See SNAP 3600 for additional information.

9444 Alien Status

SNAP Manual 07/01/03

Expedited service only provides for postponing verification. If an individual will not declare basic information about citizenship and/or alien status, there is no basis on which to allow the individual to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. He or she will be classified as an ineligible alien when the application is processed. See SNAP 1621.6.

If an alien states he or she meets one of the conditions under which non-citizens may participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (see SNAP 1621.8) and wishes to be included in the SNAP household, the worker will ask the household to supply documentation of his or her alien status. If the household cannot supply this documentation within the expedited processing time frames, verification will be postponed. The alien will be allowed to participate; however, the required documentation must be provided at the time of the next application if the alien is to continue participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

9445Resources

SNAP Manual 10/01/11

Countable liquid resources include cash on hand, checking and savings accounts, stocks and bonds, and lump sum payments.

Applications from expedited households with non-liquid resources which exceed the resource limit will be denied. The resource limits are:

1. $3,250 for households, including one person households, with a aged or disabled member as defined in the Glossary definition of Aged/Disabled Household); and

2. $2,000 for all other households.

The following chart may be used to determine if the household's declared non-liquid resources exceed the applicable limits. See SNAP 7431 for instructions on denying an application when the household resources exceed the limits.

SNAP Certification Manual - Section 12000

12200Changes Reported by the Household

If the reported information shows a vehicle will be totally excluded, no additional action is required. If not, it must be determined if the countable value of the vehicle will make the household ineligible.

^SeeSNAP 4821 for instructions on determining the countable value of a vehicle.

If the information provided shows the countable value of the vehicle plus other resources make the household ineligible, additional information may be needed. For example, it may be necessary to determine if the household "traded in" a vehicle currently counted as a resource.

If additional information is needed, an advance notice of adverse action must be manually issued to the household via a Notice of Action (DCO-1). The DCO-1 will specify the information to be provided and will state that failure to return the information by the specified date will result in case closure.

12232Liquid Resources

SNAP MANUAL 10/01/11

When a household reports liquid resources exceeding $2,000, the SNAP case will be closed unless the household contains a member age 60 or older or is categorically eligible as defined in SNAP 1920. If the household has a member age 60 or older, the household will remain eligible unless its total resources exceed $3,250.

See SNAP 4950 for an explanation of the procedures for handling lump sum payments.

Additional contact with the household will be required if the household reports liquid resources in excess of $2,000 but doesn't specify the amount.

12233Actions to Take to Change a Resource

SNAP MANUAL 10/01/11

Vehicles

1. Determine the countable value of the new vehicle (see SNAP 4800 -4841).

2. If the vehicle has any countable value, add this figure to the existing resources. If applicable, subtract the countable value of the vehicle used as the "trade-in."

3. Compare the household's total countable resources to the applicable resource limits (see SNAP 4300-4310).

4. If the household's total countable resources are less than the limits, the household continues to be eligible. If not, close the case.

Liquid Resources

If the household's liquid resources exceed the applicable limit {$2,000 for regular households or $3,250 for aged/disabled households), the case will be closed unless the household is categorically eligible

12240Income Changes

SNAP MANUAL 10/01/03

12241Determining Effect of Change

A reported change in income will be reviewed to determine:

* If the information reported is adequate to determine the effect of the change on the household's monthly SNAP benefit amount; and

* If verification is required.

Other factors to be considered are listed below.

1. Loss of earnings by an eligible student may change student status from eligible to ineligible (see SNAP 1622.2).

2. An individual who is terminated or laid off from a job may get unemployment compensation.

3. An individual who loses earnings due to illness, injury, or pregnancy may get worker's compensation, sick pay, or maternity benefits.

4. A voluntary quit may have occurred (see SNAP 3401.1).

5. An individual who becomes entitled to SSA, SSI or VA may receive a lump sum payment (see SNAP 4950 -4951).

6. Receipt of SSA or VA by an individual with dependents in the home may mean the dependents also have income.

7. Loss of income may result in receipt of loans or contributions if the household no longer has the income necessary to meet its expenses.

In these instances, for occasional reporters, the worker will use the procedures in SNAP 12400. Semi-annual reporters will be asked to explain these circumstances before the semi-annual report form is processed (see SNAP 11550).

The case record must also be reviewed to determine if a change in work registration status has occurred. See the chart below:

APPENDIX: SNAP Glossary

-A-_______________________________________________

Aged/disabled households are not subject to the gross income eligibility pretest. Any household, including one person households that contains an aged and/or a disabled individual will be allowed up to $3,250 in countable resources.

An aged/disabled household must contain one of the following:

1. An individual who is age 60 or older or who turns age 60 in the month of application.

2. An individual who receives SSI under Title XVI of the Social Security Act or who receives disability or blindness payments under Titles I, II, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act.

3. An individual who receives federally or state-administered supplemental benefits under section 1616 (a) of the Social Security Act if eligibility to receive these benefits is based upon the disability or blindness criteria used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.

4. An individual who receives a federal or state-administered supplemental benefit under section 212(a) of Public Law 93-66, that is commonly called a state supplement.

5. An individual who receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent under Section 221 (i) of the Social Security Act.

6. A veteran with a service-connected disability rated by the Veteran's Administration (VA) as total or paid by the VA as total under Title 38 of the United States Code.

7. A veteran who is considered by the VA to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound under Title 38.

8. A surviving spouse of a veteran if the spouse is considered by the VA to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

9. A surviving child of a veteran if the child is considered by the VA to be permanently incapable of self-support under Title 38.

10. A surviving spouse or child of a veteran if the spouse or child is entitled to a VA payment under Title 38 due to the death of the veteran so long as the spouse or child has a disability considered permanent under Section 221(i) of the Social Security Act. "Entitled" as used in this definition refers to those surviving spouses and children of veterans who are actually receiving such payments or who are entitled to such payments but are not yet receiving them.

11. An individual who receives an annuity payment under section 2 (a)(l)(iv) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be eligible to receive Medicare by the Railroad Retirement Board.

12. An individual who receives an annuity payment under section 2 (a)(l)(v) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be disabled based upon the criteria used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.

13. Recipients of interim assistance benefits pending the receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

016.20.11 Ark. Code R. 005

11/9/2011